A Vietnamese Exploration from Coastal Charm to the Capital
Highlights:
Experience on a 9-day journey through Vietnam, starting in the coastal city of Danang and culminating in the ancient capital of Hanoi.
Discover the stunning beaches of Danang, explore the historic city of Hoi An, and immerse yourself in the rich culture of Hue.
As you travel north, witness the dramatic landscapes of the DMZ and the serene beauty of Ninh Binh.
Conclude your adventure in the bustling metropolis of Hanoi, exploring its ancient temples, bustling markets, and vibrant nightlife.
- Discover the ancient and traditional beauty of Da Nang and Hoi An.
- Experience authentic local life through activities in Hoi An.
- Explore the grandeur of the Hue Imperial City and learn about royal life.
- Revisit history at the DMZ on your journey north.
- Marvel at the stunning stalactites and stalagmites of Paradise Cave.
- Discover the hometown of Ho Chi Minh, a world-renowned leader.
- Explore the picturesque landscapes and breathtaking views of Ninh Binh.
- Immerse yourself in Hanoi's rich history, culture, and cuisine.
Details of experience:
Your exploration in Vietnam will start from Da Nang City, possibly from Da Nang International Airport or a hotel here. The unique beauty is waiting for you. Now check the details day by day, please!
Day 1: Da Nang Airport to Hoi An City
Our representative will welcome you to the airport in Da Nang City, which has many flights from other countries and cities coming here.
We will transfer you to a restaurant if it’s time to have lunch. You can taste a rest and enjoy the first meal with the local taste of Central Vietnam.
After that, move to your hotel in Hoi An City, check in at the hotel, and take your rest. You have time to explore the ancient town where many old houses, temples, and Chinese Assembly Halls are.
So many opportunities give you various beautiful photos. Thus, do not forget to carry your camera full of battery for taking pictures.
Day 2: Hoi An – My Son – Cam Thanh Coconut Village and Tra Que
Estimated time: 8:30 am – 4 pm
In the morning, you welcome a peaceful morning in Hoi An with breakfast at the hotel. After that, we explore the culture, history, and cuisine.
The private car will carry you through the countryside and rice fields to the mountain where My Son Holy Land is. You spend around 1.5 – 2 hours discovering the ancient temples and towers built from the 7th to 13th centuries. The typical material comes from clay but still remains until now.
Besides, you can enjoy Cham dance for 15 – 20 minutes. The songs and dances are created from the images and statues on the walls of temples. This short performance shows on most days; however, they may stop showing on special occasions.
After exploring here, we drive back to Hoi An and directly to Tra Que Village to eat lunch. We chose lunch here because it is a crisp place to taste the food while seeing the green colors of vegetables. The local food is served for your meal.
Then, we come to Cam Thanh to enjoy a boat ride on the coconut farm. The friendly boat riders can give you warm feelings and a typical experience on the round boats.
Then, we move back to the hotel to relax, or we can drop you at Hoi An Ancient City for your own walking around the old town. It’s a chance for shopping a few souvenirs.
Day 3: Hoi An – Ba Na Hills – Hue City, Via Hai Van Pass
Estimated time: 8:30 am – 5 pm
After checking out the hotel, you will drive to Ba Na Hills, where you can walk on the famous Golden Bridge.
Taking a cable car is another experience here from the foot of the hills when you can see beautiful nature from the cabin slowly running. Besides, you cannot miss many attractive places, such as flower gardens, pagodas, and French villages.
After around 3 hours of visiting Ba Na Hills, we drive to the top of Hai Van Pass to enjoy a great view (it’s nice on dry days). Taking pictures around and tasting a cup of coffee can do here.
We stop at Lang Co beach for lunch before driving to Hue City Center to check in at the hotel to relax.
We recommend walking along the Perfume River at night to immerse yourself in the cool air and see local activities along beautiful roads.
Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 4: Hue City and Food Tour
Estimated time: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm. The finished time can be earlier if starting the food tour before 2 pm.
8:30 am, you come to a few famous places in Hue, including the Royal Palaces in the Imperial City to learn more about Nguyen Kings here, Thien Mu Pagoda in the lovely location which becomes the oldest temple in this city, and Tiger Fighting Area where the Tiger and Elephant fought again to show the King power.
Then, go back to the hotel for you to take a rest before doing an exciting food tour. You have an excellent opportunity to taste different local foods and experience a cyclo ride.
You will visit various local restaurants to try many local dishes. So, not eating lunch in advance is recommended.
Then, relax at your hotel.
Day 5: Hue drive to Phong Nha and fly to Hanoi
Estimated time: 8:00 am – the finished time depends on the flight time.
Today can be a day longer than the others when you move to Phong Nha to visit the cave and fly to Hanoi.
Check out the hotel in Hue to drive through the villages to DMZ. We stop at the 17th Parallel, which used to be the border separating Vietnam during the war.
Then, transfer to Vinh Moc Tunnels, which gives you a chance to go down underground to study more about the life of the locals during the war.
After that, we drive to Phong Nha National Park and stop at a restaurant for lunch to get more energy before visiting the cave.
We chooses the Paradise Cave, Động Thiên Đường in Vietnamese, with beautiful stalactites and stalagmites, which looks like paradise on earth. However, to visit this cave, you go up many steps, or another way leads you up to the caves without stairs but a longer route.
Take a rest after visiting the cave, and wait for the time to transfer to the airport in Dong Hoi for your night light to Hanoi – the Capital of Vietnam.
Our representative will welcome you to Noi Bai Airport and drive to your hotel in Hanoi to stay overnight.
Day 6: Hanoi City Tour to explore its highlights
Spend a day visiting the highlights of Hanoi for around 6 hours. Vietnamdrive team selects:
The Old Quarter of Hanoi: you explore the classic style of the locals, lovely houses, beautiful lakes, and unique trading habits of the locals.
Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple give you a lovely view to relax.
Literature of Temple becomes the first university in Vietnam. You can find out the educational spirit of the Vietnamese and know the students’ beliefs.
The Women’s Museum in Hanoi: You will know about the value of the female and how the Vietnamese people think about this gender.
Tran Quoc Pagoda offers a peaceful moment for your journey here. Also, do not miss the beautiful landscape of West Lake (Ho Tay) around the pagoda.
During the city tour in Hanoi, we taste one of the famous Vietnamese noodles – Phở. This food will come for lunch at the well-known Pho shops in Hanoi. Its flavor hopefully gives you unforgettable memories of local food in Vietnam.
Relax in the hotel in Hanoi.
Day 7: Hanoi to Ninh Binh and back to Hanoi
Estimated time: 8:30 am – 5:30 pm
You will do a private day tour to visit Ninh Binh, including Tam Coc – Hoa Lu – Hang Mua and lunch.
Ninh Binh province is located around 100km from Hanoi, which has many beautiful places to visit and amazing landscapes.
After a drive of around 2 hours, you stop at Hoa Lu, which used to be the old capital of Vietnam to explore the history and relics left.
A coffee stop comes after visiting for you to get back energy before moving to the next destination.
We continue visiting Tam Coc on the boat to enjoy the beauty of mountains, rivers, and rice fields.
Climb up to Hang Mua to looking amazing surrounding views. Hang Mua has become a well-known place for young people to take pictures.
During this trip, we also stop to enjoy lunch with local food; typically goat meat will be the highlight food in this place.
After exploring here, we will drive back to Hanoi to relax.
Day 8: Hanoi lazy day
We would like to give this free day for your own choice. You can do what you want to, for example, walking around the old town, tasting more local food, or joining the cooking class.
Or, you can take a short trip to explore the nearby places in this area, such as visiting Duong Lam village – one of the typical ancient villages in Vietnam, or Bat Trang Village, where you can learn how to make pottery products.
Day 9: Hanoi Airport
Take your leisure time until we transfer you to Noi Bai Airport, also called Hanoi Airport, for your flight.
Actually, you can extend your holidays in Vietnam to visit more beautiful destinations, such as Halong Bay – a location dotted with thousands of islands, or Sapa – a mountainous region inhabited by the unique culture of the ethnic groups living in the mountains.
If you want to spend more days in Vietnam, please tell us! One of the team is willing to support you. Thank you so much!
Inclusion:
- 8 nights at 4-star accommodations with daily breakfast (or 5-star hotels as your request)
- An English-speaking tour guide
- A private car or van for transfer following the itinerary
- A water bottle per guest per day
- Entrance fee for visiting as in the itinerary
- Boat trip in Hoi An, Hue City, Quang Binh, and Ninh Binh
Exclusion:
- Visa applications
- International travel insurance
- Personal expenditure
- Tipping for drivers, and tour guides
- The others not mentioned in the itinerary and inclusion part above